The votes are in and about 88 percent of the people who voted in Hughson, voted in favor of recalling council members Thom Crowder, Doug Humphreys and resigned council member Ben Manley out of office.

“Tonight marks the end of corruption in Hughson,” said Josh Whitfield, spokesperson for the Citizens for Better City Government — a group of Hughson citizens who spearheaded the recall election. “The voters have spoken. Corruption did not stand tonight and it will not stand tomorrow.”

Over 100 community members at the Election Night Party — hosted by the Citizens for Better City Government — on Tuesday shared tears of joy and cheers of happiness as the success of the recall election was reported.

“I am just happy that we got the three check marks on the three yes’s (for recall),” said George Carr, winning candidate for Crowder’s seat. “That was the most important thing.”

About 86.6 percent of the voters voted yes for the recall of Crowder, 88.02 percent voted yes for the recall of Humphreys and 89.72 percent voted yes for the recall of Manley.

Humphreys declined to comment for this story. The Journal was unable to reach Crowder for comment by press time.

Citizens for Better City Government started work on the recall election eight months ago after the Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury found Crowder, Humphreys and Manley in violation of the Brown Act, Fair Political Practices and Regulations and the Hughson Municipal Code in their December 2009 findings.

New council members were also announced on Tuesday to replace the three recalled seats on the Hughson City Council.

Carr will take Crowder’s seat on the council, Jeramy Young will replace Humphreys and Jill Ferriera Silva will take Manley’s seat on the council.

“It feels great,” Young said. “All my hard work paid off. I am looking forward to getting the city back on track.”

Even those who did not win a spot on the council were happy that their votes made the recall a reality.“All the votes brought in for me also brought in votes for the recall,” said Gary Houx, candidate for Humphreys seat. “We achieved the recall and that’s positive.” Houx still plans to stay involved in the community and plans to run for a seat on either the Planning Commission or Parks and Recreation Commission to keep an active role in Hughson, he said. “Good people were elected for council and they will do a good job,” Houx said. Silva, winner of Manley’s seat, plans to bring integrity and professionalism back to the council as she takes on her role as City Council member. “I promise you (people of Hughson) that I will give 110 percent,” she said. Silva, Young and Carr will serve the remainder of the recalled council members’ terms. Silva and Young will serve for two years. Carr will serve for three months until the November election takes place where he has already submitted his papers to run again.